Chapter 14
Chapter
Fourteen
Marley found an old Adirondack chair and sat down on it, lifting Kate’s body until she was straddling his thighs. There was a full moon out tonight – he’d been wary about that when he’d offered to babysit. Full moons always meant call outs and he’d expressly told the other volunteers he wasn’t available tonight.
He'd still kept his phone on, though, and the alert app open. But nothing came through. Maybe for once the town was behaving.
Which was more than he could say for himself. But he didn’t want to think about that right now. All he wanted to think about was this woman. The way her skin looked almost porcelain in the cool light of the moon. The way she was looking at him like he was the only man in the world right now.
Not suitable.
He liked her description of her date way too fucking much.
Because laying here together their bodies just fit. They did. Her inner thighs clamped around his like she was trying to squeeze the hell out of him. Her hips were undulating softly as he slid his fingers through her perfect, glossy hair. Their mouths worshipping and teasing like neither of them ever wanted it to stop.
He knew he didn’t.
And that’s how it went for the next hour. They’d part for breath and then they’d kiss again, like they couldn’t help themselves. He started off being reverent – or as reverent as he could be when he was devouring the woman he wanted. But then she’d slid her hands beneath his t-shirt and he’d felt the full fucking power of her touch, and it had sent him a little crazy.
Enough to do the same to her. To feel the soft silkiness of her skin. To trace his calloused fingers over her stomach, along her back, then up to her breasts.
Her nipples were hard beneath her bra. And yes, he pinched them, because how could he not? The action made her gasp into his mouth so he did it again.
He couldn’t remember the last time he made out, fully clothed, for an hour. It was like he was back in high school. Kate moved in his arms, sliding her body until she was prone against his, her breasts touching his chest, her mouth still kissing him like she never wanted to stop.
And then she touched him there.
It was like a thousand fireworks exploding in his brain. Her palm cupped his hardness through his jeans, then her fingers wrapped around him through the denim, moving up and down.
He was a breath away from coming in his pants like a sixteen-year-old kid.
He kissed her lips, her jaw, her neck. “Kate.”
“Huh?” Her gaze was hazy.
“I need you to stop touching me,” he told her, his voice rough with need.
For a second he could see the hurt in her eyes. “Because I’m about ten seconds away from coming,” he added truthfully.
“Oh.” Her voice was soft, but she moved her hand.
And for a moment he wished he hadn’t said anything. Regret mingled with relief.
“I’m sorry,” he told her. “It’s been a while.”
This time she smiled. It was a little wobbly but it was there. And he realized she was on a cliff’s edge of emotions. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and keep her away from the danger. “That’s kind of sexy,” she whispered.
He went to sit up and she did, too, moving so she was sitting on his lap.
It was so exquisitely painful having her there it was messing with his brain.
He reached out to stroke her hair. Kate let out a long breath. “Well…”
The corner of his lip quirked. “Well, I guess I didn’t see that coming.”
“Literally.”
He grinned. Damn, he liked this woman. “Let me take you out on a date,” he said, brushing her neck with his lips.
“I just got back from one.”
“With the wrong guy,” he pointed out.
“And whose fault was that? You’re the one who offered to babysit.” She tipped her head to the side, giving him more access to her neck. He trailed his mouth along it. “Why did you?” she asked.
“Why did I what?” he murmured against her skin.
She let out a contented sigh. “Why did you let me go on a date with another man? If you wanted me?”
He kissed her lips again. Damn she tasted sweet. “Because I needed to know you’re ready.”
“What if I’d clicked with him?” she asked.
“Then I would’ve said my piece. Let you choose between us.” He’d been thinking about it ever since his conversation with Pres. He’d needed to know for sure that she was ready. That it wasn’t just him. She’d had so much shit in her life over the past few years. He wasn’t about to press her if she wasn’t ready.
She cupped his jaw with her hands, her gaze intent as she leaned in to kiss him again. “You said it was a race. I’m not a prize.”
“Yes you are.”
She shook her head, looking earnest. “I’m not. You said you needed to know that I’m ready. I don’t know if I’m ready. I have three kids, a job, a house that always has something falling apart in it. I still cry myself to sleep sometimes. I’m not exactly the kind of woman men fight wars for.” She took a deep breath. “And kissing you was hot as hell. But I’m not a prize there either. I haven’t had sex for years. And if I’m being truly honest, I’m absolutely petrified about that.”
There was a vulnerability to her voice that made him want to protect her from the world. “I’m talking about a date,” he told her, kissing her again. Mostly because he couldn’t bear not to. “That’s it. You and me. Some food. A little wine. See where things go.”
Her eyes caught his. And yeah, he knew where he wanted things to go. But he also knew she was new to this. He didn’t want to make a mistake. To scare her away.
They’d take this at her pace, no matter how glacial it was. He wasn’t going to mess things up now.
“Where would we go?” she asked him.
“Not to the restaurant you just came from.” And yeah, there was a bit of petulance in his voice. Not directed at her though. At him.
Because he might be mild-mannered but it didn’t mean he liked the thought of her dating another man.
“If we go anywhere around here people will talk.”
“We can go to another town. Or you can come to my place. Whatever you feel most comfortable with.”
“Do you cook?” she asked him, tipping her head to the side.
“Of course I cook. Do I look like I’m starving?”
She grinned, running her hands up his arms, squeezing the muscles there. “No.”
“Then yes. I can cook. I’ll cook for you if you want. Any time.”
She was smiling now. And fuck if that didn’t make him want her more. She leaned in closer, so her lips were feathering against his. “A date sounds good. It’s a yes. But right now I need you to kiss me again.”
The library was quiet on Monday morning. Which was annoying because it meant Kate was alone with her thoughts and they were chaotic. They had been since her date.
Or more specifically, since after the date. The hours spent laying on the Adirondack in the nighttime air had taken a toll on her mind and body. She couldn’t stop thinking about the way he’d felt – so thick and strong beneath her. Or the way he’d kissed her, like she was the sweetest piece of fruit that he was addicted to.
When she’d gotten up the next morning her lips were swollen like they’d been stung. She had to make up some stupid story for the kids that she’d eaten some shellfish she was mildly allergic to.
That hadn’t explained the redness on her face as a result of stubble burn from Marley’s kisses, but at least she’d been able to hide that with a judicious application of makeup.
But now the door to the library was opening and there he was, walking into the foyer, wearing a pair of old, faded jeans and a navy fire department t-shirt.
As soon as he saw her standing behind the counter his lips curled into a smile that she felt deep inside her body. He strode toward her with an easy gait, as though he hadn’t spent hours a few nights ago plundering her mouth with his.
“Hi.” Marley leaned on the counter. His arms were tan from all the outdoor working he did. The tiny hairs on his skin were bleached by the sun. She could see the tautness of his tendons beneath his skin.
“Hi.” She felt breathless. Like a teenager talking to a crush. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”
“Waiting on a delivery at the site.” He reached out to slide his hand into hers. “I’ve come into town to grab lunch for everybody .”
“What are you planning to feed them?” she asked him, inclining her head at the shelves. “Books?”
Marley grinned. The little lines at the corners of his eyes did something to her. “Nope. I already put the order in at the diner, so I decided to come visit my favorite librarian while I wait. Plus, you owe me an answer.”
Because she hadn’t confirmed their date. “I can’t get a babysitter,” she told him. And yeah, she felt disappointed by that. Shana had a date herself on Friday and was busy on Saturday. “Maybe the next weekend?”
“That’s too long.” His blue eyes met hers. And of course her gaze dipped to his lips again. Remembering how they made her feel.
How hot they got on that chair together.
“I’ll bring dinner over for you on Friday night,” he said firmly.
“You’ll have to bring dinner for five of us. The kids will be there.”
“I know. I’ll bring pizza. We can watch a movie.”
“And then what? We make out on the couch next to them?” She shook her head, trying to imagine her kids’ reactions to that. Addy would probably fall asleep. Ethan would try to ignore them. James would be apoplectic.
No, that wasn’t going to work.
“I have some self-control,” Marley said mildly. “I’m just bringing food over to spend time with you. As a friend. That’s all.”
“Is that what you are?” she asked him. “A friend?”
He nodded his head at the office door behind her. “Anybody in there?”
“No.” She only used the office when there was somebody else working the counter. Otherwise, it stayed stubbornly empty.
“Good.” Without saying another word, he walked around the counter and took her hand in one of his, using the other to push open the office door.
“What are we doing?” she asked him, a smile playing on her lips as he closed the door firmly behind them. Truth be told, just having her hand in his was making her feel a little giddy. He was so warm, so strong.
He still hadn’t said anything. Letting go of her hand, he cupped her face with his palm. Then he leaned in, his lips so warm and soft against hers that it made her thighs contract with need.
He wasn’t desperate this time. It was sweet and tender. She felt like she was about to swoon.
“Does that feel like a kiss from a friend?” he asked her when he pulled away, his voice thick.
“No,” she breathed. And dammit, she wanted him to kiss her again. If she wasn’t at work she’d have wanted more. So much more.
She just wasn’t sure the Hartson’s Creek Memorial Library was ready for that kind of fire.
“Right answer.” There was a smirk playing on his lips. “What time shall I come over on Friday?”
Kate let out a long breath. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea. The kids… they’re not always on their best behavior at the end of the week.”
“Nor am I.” He winked at her. “And I’m not coming over to see them on their best behavior. I’m coming over to see them and you. As you are. And that’s how I want you to be.”
“You’re coming over to see the kids?” she asked, because was this man for real? He’d seen Addy throw a fit. He’d seen Ethan get upset over a t-shirt. Damn, he’d even brought James home drunk from a party.
She loved her kids, she really did. But they weren’t always the best company.
He leaned down to kiss her jaw. “Kate, your kids are part of the package. I like them. I enjoy their company.” He kissed her throat and it sent a shiver down her spine. “I like their mom even more.”
Somebody hit the bell on the front counter, the sharp trill making her jump. “I have to go,” she told him, reluctance pulling at her chest.
“Then go.” He nodded at the door.
“Can you…”
“I won’t let them see me. In fact, I’m just gonna climb out of that window,” he said, nodding at the glass on the far side of the wall. “Nobody will ever know I was here, I promise.”
The bell rang again. Whoever was looking for assistance was getting tetchy. “What are you, fifteen?”
“Nope. I’m a firefighter. I’ll see you on Friday, Princess.”
“Princess?” She shook her head. Nobody had ever called her that.
“Whatever that woman who threw her hair out of the window was.”
“Rapunzel.”
“She’s a princess, right?”
Kate blinked. Was she? She couldn’t remember. Addy loved the movie, though.
And then the bell rang for a third time, and she had to go.